Parents' rights and free speech vs. California law

Pacific Justice Institute says it has good reason challenge a California law that bans therapy for youth with same-sex attractions.

Young people with the attractions, and parents who want to provide them with professional help, have nowhere to go other than to another state, says PJI president and attorney Brad Dacus.

"They are forbidden by law in California from being able to get that treatment from a licensed counselor," Dacus explains. "We at Pacific Justice Institute filed a lawsuit to challenge that."

PJI initially prevailed by winning a preliminary injunction, which was reversed by the 9th Circuit appeals court and then dismissed by a lower court.

"And so now we're appealing it to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals," he says.

There's a lot at stake. Dacus says the law violates the client-patient privilege between a counselor and their patient. And it also violates free speech, he says.

"The government is going into the counseling room and telling a counselor what they can say and what they can't say," Dacus argues, "even though it may go against the counselor's own professional discretion and assessment of what's needed for the patient."

In addition, it also violates the right of parents to make a decision for their son or daughter.

With all of that at stake, Dacus contends it's vital that the 9th Circuit accept the case and grant a hearing.

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